Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What is today's agenda for the English, Bahasa, Tamil and Chinese papers.

Front Page

English newspapers

Both the Star and the New Straits Times led with the RM2 billion expenditure cut in government expenses which will see, among other, the reduction in the ministers' entertainment allowance.

The Star also featured an image of a hawker sign which announced price hikes in food effective from June 1.

Bahasa Malaysia newspapers

Both Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia led with the collection of cash rebates for private vehicle owners which can done from this Saturday, June 14, instead of July 1 as previously announced.

Berita Harian also highlighted the government's RM2billion cut back on expenditure.

Chinese newspapers

All the Chinese dailies - China Press, Nanyang Siang Pau, Sin Chew Daily and Oriental Daily - led with the government's cost-cutting measures in line with the decision to cut fuel subsidies last Wednesday.

Tamil newspapers

All Tamil dailies - Makkal Osai, Malaysia Nanban and Tamil Nesan - reported the arrest of PKR leader P Kalaivanar in Sungai Petani yesterday for alleged cheque fraud. He was the losing candidate in Gurun in the recent general election.

Tamil Nesan led with MIC president S Samy Vellu urging the government to ensure at least eight percent university entrance allocations are granted to Indian students.

Editorial

The New Straits Times commented on Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's letter to South African president Thabo Mbeki. The letter condemned Mbeki's silence on the atrocities committed by Robert Mugabe in the wake of Zimbabwe's March 29 elections. It urges Mbeki to play a stronger role as a regional mediator and not appease Mugabe.

Berita Harian opined that cash rebate handed by the government was a good move to discriminate between the more affluent and less affluent users.

Utusan Malaysia discussed the city's inefficient transportation system. It pointed out that no comprehensive research was readily available to gauge the efficiency of public transportation.

Nanyang Siang Pau said that public buses should not increase their fare because they still enjoyed subsidised diesel.

Sin Chew Daily urged the government to come out with a holistic solution to face the global economy recession and the rocketing oil price.

Oriental Daily said the four major cost-cutting measures announced yesterday could only relieve the current inflation. It added that the government needed a comprehensive macro approach to transform the nation's economy and increase household income to cushion the effect of inflation.

Tamil Nesan said the government should do more to keep a check on increasing prices.